Process for the production of discrete solid extruded particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the production of discrete solid extruded particles comprising dispersion droplets, to such particles as well as to the use of such particles in food, feed, pharmaceutical and personal care applications.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for production of discrete solid extruded particles comprising solid carotenoid-in-water dispersion droplets, wherein the process comprises:
 (i) emulsifying ingredients comprised of at least one carotenoid, at least one emulsifying protective colloid and water in an extruder to form solid carotenoid-in-water dispersion droplets, 
 (ii) extruding extrudate strands which comprise the solid carotenoid-in-water dispersion droplets from the extruder, and 
 (iii) forming discrete solid extruded particles from the extrudate strands. 
 
     
     
       2. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein step (iii) includes forming the extrudate strands into discrete solid extruded particles by cutting and drying. 
     
     
       3. The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the drying is practiced in any sequence of before, during and/or after cutting of the extrudate strand. 
     
     
       4. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein step (iii) further comprises subjecting the discrete solid extruded particles to a spheronisation process to thereby form substantially spherical discrete solid particles therefrom. 
     
     
       5. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the carotenoid is at least one selected from the group consisting of α-carotene, β-carotene, 8′-apo-β-carotenal, 8′-apo-β-carotenoic acid esters, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and crocetin. 
     
     
       6. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the carotenoid is β-carotene. 
     
     
       7. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifying protective colloid is at least one selected from the group consisting of modified food starches, ascorbyl palmitate, pectin, alginate, carrageenan, furcellaran, dextrin derivatives, celluloses and cellulose derivatives, lignosulfonate, polysaccharide gums, bovine gelatine, fish gelatine, pork gelatine, poultry gelatine, plant proteins, animal proteins, milk whey proteins, lecithin, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, monoglycerides of fatty acids, diglycerides of fatty acids, sorbitan ester, PG esters, sugar esters and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
       8. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one carotenoid is present in step (i) in an amount of 0.5 wt.-% to 50 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dispersion. 
     
     
       9. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one emulsifying protective colloid is present in step (i) in an amount of 5 wt.-% to 80 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dispersion. 
     
     
       10. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the water is present in step (i) in an amount of 1 wt.-% to 90 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dispersion. 
     
     
       11. The process according to  claim 10 , wherein the water is present in step (i) in an amount of 1 wt.-% to 80 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dispersion. 
     
     
       12. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the ingredients emulsified according to step (i) further comprise 1 wt.-% to 85 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dispersion, of at least one auxiliary agent. 
     
     
       13. The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the auxiliary agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, plasticisers, stabilisers, humectants, dyes, fragrances, fillers and buffers. 
     
     
       14. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein step (i) comprises sequentially adding to the extruder the emulsifying protective colloid, followed by the water and then the at least one carotenoid. 
     
     
       15. The process according to  claim 1 , which comprises operating the extruder such that a temperature inside the extruder is between 20° C. and 220° C. 
     
     
       16. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the total residence time in the extruder for the ingredients is between 1 and 400 s.